Tag Archives: adiran ochoa

In April, the YM General Presidency was changed. Brother David L. Beck was called as the general president of the Young Men, with Brother Larry M. Gibson as first counselor and Brother Adrian Ochoa as second counselor. I had the opportunity to attend a training meeting with Brother Ochoa a few weeks ago. For the last several years there has been a Regional Youth Conference here in Southern Ontario, and Brother Ochoa came up to speak at the conference. On the first night, he held a training meeting for all those who work with young men.

The following are my notes from the meeting. These are NOT direct quotes from Brother Ochoa. The notes consist of the general sense of what he was saying, the input from others, as well as my own thoughts/interpretations. I did get the sense that the Brethren are aware of how important it is for our youth to be “connected”, and especially to be connected to each other. This applies to youth around the world, not just in North America.

“they” sent him here

There is a lot at stake

There is a formidable enemy. Many laugh and say he is not real

His #1 charge is to stop the work of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ

There are some difficult questions

Read from the CHI about the Aaronic Priesthood. It should be our #1 training tool. We should be familiar with it. It is a tremendous teaching tool, and is like scripture (came through revelation)

We have the best leader, Jesus Christ

What can I do to not only prevent YM from falling away, but to bring them back

What are we going to do to save our youth?

As leaders, we might need to “parent” them a bit

Get the quorums involved

We need to be effective teachers

Main agents for change

Love them with a Christ like understanding

Teach parents and leaders

Take responsibility

How much are we condescending? (talking to them at their level)

What are the main challenges facing our youth?

LDS youth feel isolated

Only member in school

Attend mutual and other activities in small group

Aren’t are of LDS youth around the world who share the same experience

LDS youth feel pressure

Confusion about moral choices

Drink, view pornography, violate law of chastity

Common for people my age to

Use illegal drugs – 50%

Be sexually active – 50%

View pornography – 50%

Drink alcohol – 60%

Pressure increases with age

12-13 – 39%

14-16 – 45%

17-18 – 50%

Isolation + pressure = risk

Reducing the risk

Youth feel less pressure to sin if parents:

Know their friends and know what they are doing

Set/reinforce high moral expectations

Are both active

Hold regular family prayer and scripture study

3/4 of parents expect youth to choose friends with good moral standards

1/2 encourage their youth to always listen to music with clean lyrics

1/3 have regular family scripture study and prayer

Brother Ochoa didn’t bring answers. Our own mantle will bring us the answers

A great leader is able to focus on the things that make a difference

Active youth feel less pressure to sin when they feel connected

To their covenants through spiritual experiences (Scouts is here to stay)

To one another through formal/informal experiences with each other and leaders